Trial of the Officers and Crew of the Privateer Savannah on the Charge of Piracy Part 16

_Q._ What sort of a gun?

_A._ They said an eighteen-pounder; I am no judge; I never saw one loaded before.

_Q._ A pivot gun?

_A._ No, sir, not much of a pivot. They had to take two or three handspikes to round it about.

_Q._ It was mounted on a carriage, the same as other guns?

_A._ Yes, sir.

_Q._ With wheels?

_A._ I believe so; I took no notice of the gun.

_Q._ Reflect, and tell us how the gun was mounted?

_A._ It was mounted so that it could be altered in its position by the aid of handspikes; it could be swung by the use of handspikes.

_Q._ The gun could be swung on the carriage without moving the carriage?

_A._ I do not know that part of it; I know the men complained that moving the gun was hard work.

_Q._ What other arms had you on board?

_A._ I saw other arms on board,--pistols, I believe, and cutla.s.ses.

_Q._ How many pistols did you see?

_A._ I saw several; I do not know how many.

_Q._ About how many cutla.s.ses?

_A._ I cannot say how many; I saw several, such as they were--cutla.s.ses or knives, such as they were.

_Q._ Where were the cutla.s.ses?

_A._ Those were in the lockers that I saw; I never saw them until Monday noon, when we ran down the Joseph; I saw them then.

_Q._ Where were they then?

_A._ I saw them in the lockers that lay in the cabin.

_Q._ When the Perry's boat came to you where were they?

_A._ Some out on the table, and some in the lockers.

_Q._ When you captured the Joseph where were they?

_A._ I think there were some out on the table, and about the cabin; the pistols, too; but there were none used.

_Q._ Were any of the men armed?

_A._ No, sir; I saw none of our men armed, except in their belt they might have a sheath knife.

_Q._ Where were all hands when you captured the Joseph, in the forenoon of Monday?

_A._ All on deck, sir; there might be one or two in the forecastle, but most on deck, some lying down, and some asleep.

_Q._ What size is the Savannah?

_A._ I think in the neighborhood of 50 to 60 tons.

_Q._ What is the usual crew for sailing such a vessel, for mercantile purposes?

_A._ I have been out in such a boat with four men and a boy, besides myself; that was all-sufficient.

_Q._ Where did you run to?

_A._ I ran to Havana, and to Key West, with the mails, and returned again in a pilot boat of that size, with four men and a boy, some years ago.

_Q._ Was the Savannah in use as a pilot boat before that expedition?

_A._ Yes; that is what she was used for.

_Q._ Do you know where the Savannah was owned?

_A._ I believe she was owned in Charleston.

_Q._ How long have you known her?

_A._ Two or three years, as a pilot boat.

_Q._ Do you know her owners?

_A._ I know one of them.

_Q._ What was his name?

_A._ Mr. Lawson.

_Q._ Is he a citizen of the United States?

_A._ Yes, I believe so.

_Cross-examined by Mr. Larocque._